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Iraqi Army Division Certified to Plan, Conduct Operations With Limited Support

ad Diwaniyah, Iraq - The staff of the 8th Iraqi Army Division accomplished a certification process Dec. 20. This means the division will now have the ability to plan and conduct the operations with limited support of Coalition Forces.

The units of the 8th Division will continue to move forward to achieve the full combat readiness. In the near future, final coordination with local and central administration will be completed in order to finalize the process of battle space transfer.

The certification process was preceded by long term training, exercises and combat operations. Before certification on the division staff level, six battalions and two brigades of the 8th Iraqi Army Division completed certification process towards the goal of combat readiness.

The main elements of the training process included planning and executing counterterrorism operations which encompassed cordon and search techniques check points, patrolling and convoy protection. Tactical training such as weapons proficiency, engineering, communication, medical support and logistics also contributed to the overall certification process.

The main and final test was to check the capabilities of 8th IAD Soldiers during parliamentary elections in December. Division staff, under supervision of Multi-National Division Central South Military Transition Teams, had planned and conducted operations to provide the security environment during elections. Staff and Iraqi Soldiers passed this exam successfully.

The ceremony of signing the protocol of certification took place in 8th Iraqi Army headquarters in ad Diwaniyah. Protocol was signed by MNDCS commander Maj. Gen. Piotr Czerwinski and 8th IAD commander Maj. Gen. Othman Ali Ferhood. Iraqi Land Forces commander and Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq commander participated in the ceremony.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq